Folding go-cart.



F. J. BEIER.

FOLDING GO-GART. APPLIGATION FILED 313.28, 190s. RBNEWED MAR. 9. 1914.

1,094,41 8. Patented Apr. 28, 1914.

'2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

. l, /5` @gf v f j F. J. BEIER.

FOLDING GG-GART.

APPLIOATION FILED 113.28, 1908. RBNEWED MAR. 9, 1914. 1,094,411 v8.

Patented Apr. 28, 1914 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

UNITED srairiis raginufr onnion.

FRANK J'. BEIER, OF ELKHART, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY`MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO WILLIAM S. FERRIS, OF ELKHAR-T, INDIANA, AND ALEXANDER B. LEITH, OF

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, TRUSTEES.

FOLDING GO-GART.

Application led February 28, 1908, Serial No. 418,311.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To @ZZ whom t may concern.

Be it known that I, FRAM; J. Bninii, a citizen of the United States, residing at Ellihart, in the county of Elkhart and State of indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Gro-Carts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in folding go-carts and the primary object of the same is to provide an improved, simple, light and durable device of this character which may be folded into compact form.

A further object is to provide an improved folding go-cart including a lock for holding the parts in an operative position and improved means for yieldingly supporting the seat, which means also serves as a guide and support for the lock during the folding and unfolding` operation.

To the attainment of these ends and the accomplishment of other new and useful obj ects, as will appear, the invention consists iii the features of novelty and the construe` tion, combination and arrangement of the several parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed and shown in the accompanying drawings illustrating` the embodiment of the invention and in which Figure 1 is a sido elevation of an improved device of this character constructed in accordance with the principles of this inven tion, showing the same in dotted lines in an adjusted position to permit the occupant to assume a reclining position. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of F ig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional. view on line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fig. et is a detail sectional view on line 1 4 of Fig. Fig. :Eis a detail sectional view ofone of the wheel supports. Fig` 6 isA a detail 4view partly in section showing the manner of supporting'tlle seat and of locking the parts in an operative position. F ig. v7 is adetail sectional view on line 7 7 of Fig. l. IFig. Sis a detail view in elevation showing' the locking bail for one pair of the wheel supports and its connection with one of the arms of the seat.

Referring more particularlyY to the drawings and in the present exemplitication of the invention, the running gear frame preferablycomprises spaced side members 10 which are connected at one end by means of a cross bar 11 which stands between the extremities of the side bais'and is secured thereto preferably by means of screws or bolts 12 which pass through suitable clips 13 arranged adjacent the outer face of the side bars 10 and the screws 12 pass into the ends of the cross bar or member 11. Extending transversely across the frame at the rear end thereof is a connecting bar or rod 14 which serves as a means for pivotally securing the side arms 15 of the handle 16 to the running gear frame.

The wheel supports 17 of the running gear frame are preferably constructed ofa single piece of suitable material, suchl as metal or the like, the body portions of which are provided with spaced side flanges 18, which terminate short of the ends thereof. One end 19 of the body portion 17 beyond the side flanges 18 is bent around one of the side bars 10 and the extremity 20 thereof is bent into close proximity to the body portion 17 so as to stand between the flanges 18 thereof and is secured against displacenient in any desired or suitable manner, preferably by means of a bolt or rivet 21 which passes through the extremity 2O and the body portion 17. The end 19 is so shaped that the wheel support is adapted for rotation with respect to the running gear frame to permit the supports to be folded with respect to the running gear frame. The other extremity 22 of the wheel support beyond the Hanges`18 is bent to form a spaced wall 23 which is parallel to the body portion 17 and the extremity 211 thereof is deflected or 'bent so as to stand adjacent the body portion 17 between the flanges 18 and is' held from displacement preferably by means of a bolt or rivet 25, which passes through the extremity 24 and thebody portion 17.

The wall 23 is provided with an 'aperture 26 through which one end of a stub axle 27 is adapted to pass and this axle is held against displacement with respect to the wheel support in any desired or suitable manner, preferably by means of a reduced threaded extremity 28 passing through the body portion 17 upon which is screwed a suitable nut 29.

The wheel supports are secured to the running gear frame in such position that the wheels 30, which are mounted upon the axles 27 will stand adjacent the outside of the frame, vvso that when the supports are folded with respect to the running gear frame, they will assume a position in close proximity thereto. One of the wheel supports is preferably located adjacent each extremity of the side bars 10 and the supports on each side of the frame are connected to move in unison by means of a suitable connecting bar or rod 31, the extremities of which preferably project a short distance beyond the wheel supports. Secured to these bars 31 and adjacent each end thereof is a spaced member 32 (see Fig. 7) and the extremities of this member and the bars 31 are deflected away from each other to form a ready entrance for the locking bail into the space formed between the bar and the members.

Pivotally supported adjacent the forward extremity of the running gear frame is a bail 33 which depends below the running gear frame and the side arms thereof are adapted to enter the space between the members 32 and the bars 31 to lock the wheel supports in position. A similar bail 34 is pivotally supported adjacent the vrear end of the running gear frame and is adapted to lock the rear extremities of the connecting bars 31 and the rear wheel supports against lateral movement with respect to the running gear frame.

A suitable cross bar 35 is secured to the running gear frame intermediate the ends thereof for supporting the forward end of the seat 36. Secured to the bottom of the seat 36, preferably adjacent the forward end thereof and by one extremity are spaced loops 37 which are of a length to surround the cross bar 14. These loops, preferably two in number, are bowed slightly upwardly, vas shown more clearly in Fig. 6, and are located adjacent the sides of the seat 36. These loops are constructed of any suitable flexible material such as metal or the like, and the seat preferably terminates short of 'the ends of the loops which surround the cross bar 14, so that the seat will rest upon the loops and be yieldingly supported thereby to form a spring seat.

Adjacent each side of the seat 36 are links or bars 38, 39, one extremity of each of which is pivotally connected to the respective side bar 10, and pivotally connected to thefree extremities of these bars or links are clips 40 and supported by the clips are arm rests 41. These bars or links 38, 39, extend for Vany suitable distance above the running gear frame and the rear bars or links 39 are connected to the side arms 15 of the handle 16 by means of suitable links 42 so that the bars or links 3S and 39 will be folded downwardly against the running gear frame when the handle 16 is moved forwardly and downwardly.

In order to operate or move the bail 34 to lock or unlock the wheel supports simultaneously with the adjustment of the Vlinks 38, 39, the bail may be connected to one of the links and for this purpose one arm of the bail may be extended above the running gear frame Vas at 43, and this extension is preferably deflected rearwardly` as shown, and a link 44 may be pivotally connected by one extremity to the bar 39 and is connected at its free extremity with the extension 43 of the bail 34 by means of a slot 44a, which is supported by the extension 43 thereby allowing a lost motion to permit the parts to fold compactly with relation to the running gear frame.

In order to prevent the wheel supports 17 from moving longitudinally on the side bars 10, there may be provided a clip 45 for the two front supports and this clip is secured to the side bars 10 and extends over the portion 19 of the supports which surround the side bars to permit the supports to be moved pivotally with respect to the side bars and the rear wheel supports 17 may be held against longitudinal movement by means of the connecting bars 31 between the respective pairs of wheel supports.

A lock 46 is pivotally connected by the extremity of its side arms 47 preferably to the rear bars 39 and is provided with suitable notches 48 (see Fig. 6) in the side arms which are adapted to receive the cross bar 14 on the running gear frame to lock the arm rests 41 and the handle 16 in an operaltive position, as shown in Figs. 1 and 6 of the drawings. lllhen it is desired to fold the arm rests 41 and the links or bars 3S, 39 with respect to the running gear frame the lock 46 may be raised so as to disengage the cross bar 14 after which the handle 16 may be moved forwardly and downwardly, which will cause the arm rests 41 to move forwardly and downwardly and the lock 46 to move upon and be supported by the loops 37 to prevent the lock from dropping down between the side bars 10 of the running gear frame. Suitable yielding members 49, such as coil springs or the like, may be secured by one extremity to the side arms 47 of the lock 46 and the other extremities to the running gear frame for holding the bail againstl accidental displacement when the arm rests 41 are adjusted to an operative position. The seat 36 is provided with an independ ently adjustable back 50 which may be supported in po-sition by means of a suitable bail 51 pivotally connected, preferably to the links 42, so that the body portion will engage the rear face of the back and move in a suitable guide 52 secured to the back. A suitable foot rest 53 may also be provided at the forward end of the frame, one extremity of which is preferably secured to the seat 36. The other extremity is preferably supported by means of a bail having side arms 54, one extremity of each of which is preferably connected by means of a bar or portion thereof.

member 55 and the other extremities 56 are pivotally connected to any stationary portion of the running gear frame, preferably the cross bar 35, and the arms 54 are of such a length that the cross or connecting bar or member 55 will lrest upon the forward cross bar 11 of the running gear frame to hold the foot rest in the position shown in full lines in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings to permit the occupant to sit in an upright position on the seat 36 when the back 50 is in the position shown in Fig. l. lVhen the back 50 is adjusted by means of the bail 5l to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings topermit the occupant to assume a reclining position, the foot rest 53 may be elevated to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l.

Any suitable means may be pro-vided for supporting and locking the foot rest in its elevated position. A suitable and efficient means for accomplishing this purpose comprises a bail having spaced side members 57 (see Fig. l), the extremities 58 of which are formed into elongated eyes or loops preferably arranged at an angle to the body This bail is preferably pivoted to the connecting bar or member 1l of the running gear frame with the eyes or loops 58 thereof located adjacent the seat 36 when in the position shown in full lines in Figs. l and 2 of the drawings, and the side members 54 of the foot rest support respectively pass through the eyes or loops 58. When it is desired to support the foot rest in an elevated position, the spaced members 57 may be raised by their extremities into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. l of the drawings, which will cause the loo s or eyes 58 to assume such a position wit relation to the connecting bar or member 55 of the foot rest support that the said bars or members thereof will rest in the lowest portion of the loops. When itis desired to lower the foot rest. the members 57 may be moved about their points of pivotal support and toward the seat 36, which will lower the supporting bail 54, 55.

Suitable flexible or pliable members 59, such as fabric o-r the like, may be secured to the arm rests 41 andthe seat 36 to prevent the child from extending its arms beyond the sides of the supporting structure and also to protect its garments.

ln order that the invention might be fully understood by those skilled in the art, the details of the foregoing embodiment thereof have been thus specifically described. but

lV hat claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. ln a. folding go-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure including spaced members, a seat arranged between the said members and out of engagement therewith, means for supporting' one end of the seat, means extending beyond the other end of the seat and engaging the said supporting structure to form a yielding support for the said end, side members for the seat adapted to fold vwith respect to the supporting structure, and means adapted to enthe supporting structure to lock the side members in operative position, said locking means being adapted to move upon and be supported by the said yielding support when the side members of the seat are being adjusted.

.l'n a folding go-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure including spaced members, a seat arranged between the said members and out of engagement therewith, means for supporting one end of the seat, means extending beyond the other end yof the seat and engaging the said supporting structure to form a yielding support for the said end, side members for the seat adapted to fold with respect to the supporting structure, and a catch having pivotal connection with the said members of the seat, said watch being provided with a shoulder adapted to engage over aportion of the supporting structure to lock the part in an operative position, the free end of the catch being adapted to move upon and be supported by the said yielding support when the said side members are being adjusted.

3. in a folding` go-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure including spaced members, a seat arranged between the said members and out of engagement therewith, means for supporting one end of the seat, an elastic member, one extremity of which is secured to the seat and the other extremity having engagement with the supporting structure beyond-the seat to form a yielding support for the seat, adjustable side members for the seat, and a catch having pivotal connection',r with the said members and being adapted to engage a portion of the said structure to lock the parts in an operative position, the free end of the catch being adapted to move upon and be supported by the elastic member when the side members are being adjusted.

In a folding go-ca-rt, the combination of a seat support-ing. structure including spaced members, a seat arranged between the said members and out of engagementl therewith, means for supporting one end of the seat, an elastic member, one extremity of which connected to the seat and the other extremity having engagement with the supporting structure beyond the seat to form a yielding support for the seat, one extremity of the said elastic member having a loose connection with its respective element, side members for the seat, and a catch having pivotal connection with the side members and being adapted to engage a portion of the said structure to locl the parts in an operative position, the free end of the catch being adapted to move upon and be supported by the elastic member when the side members are being adjusted.

5. in a folding go-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure including spaced members, a seat arranged between the said members and out of engagement therewith, means for supporting one end of the seat, an elastic member, one extremity of which secured to the seat and the other extremity having engagement With the supporting structure beyond the seat to form a yielding support for the seat, said elastic member being` boived upwardly and one extremity thereof having a rigid connection and the other extremity a loose connection vvith their respective elements, side members for the seat, and a catch having pivotaly connection with the side members and being adapted to engage a portion of the said structure to lock the parts in an operative position. the free end of the catch being adapted to move upon and be supported by the elastic member when the side members are being adjusted.

(i. ln a folding go-cart. the combination of a seat supporting structure including spaced members, a seat arranged between'A said members, means for supporting one edge of the seatv` a cross bar between the said members remote from the seat, an elastic member bent upon itself to form a loop and surrounding the cross bar, the free extremities of the member being secured to the seat to form a vlf'ielding support therefor, folding side members for the seat, and a catch having` pivotal connection ivith the said side members, said catch being adapted to engage the supporting structure to lock the parts in position, the free end of the catch being adapted to move upon and be supported by the said elastic member When the side members are being` adjusted.

l'. ln a folding lgo-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure includingr spaced members, and a transverse member connecting said spaced members, a seat located beyond the transverse member, means for sujriporting one edge of the seat, and means for supporting the other edge of the seat comprising a strip of flexible material bent upon itself to form a loop, the body portion of the loop surrounding the said transverse member and the extremities thereof being secured to the seat to form a yielding support for the seat.

8. ln a folding` go-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure including spaced members and a transverse member connecting said spaced members, a seat located beyond the transverse member, means for supporting one edge of the seat, means l'cr supporting the other edge of the seat comprising a strip of flexible material bent upon itself to form an extended loop, the body portion of the loop surrounding the transverse member and the extremities thereof being secured to the seat to form a yielding support for the seat, folding side members for the seat, and a member having pivotal connection with the side members and adapted to engage the supporting structure to lock the parts in position, the free end thereof being adapted to move upon and be supported by the said yielding support between the said transverse member and the seat when the parts are being adjusted.

n a folding go-cart, the combination of a seat suporting struct-ure including spaced members and a transverse member connecting said spaced members, a seat located beyond the transverse member', means for supporting one edge of the seat, means for supporting the other edgey of the seat comprising a plurality of strips of flexible material bent upon themselves to form extended loops, the body portions of the loops surrounding the transverse member and being spaced from each other, and the extremities thereof being secured to the seat adjacent the sides thereof to form a yielding support for the seat, folding side members for the seat, and a member having pivotal connection With the side members and adapted to engage the supporting structure to lock the parts in position, the ree end thereof being adapted to move upon and be Vsupported by the said yielding support between the said transverse member and the seat when the parts are being adjusted.

10. ln a folding go-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure, al seat, means for yieldingly supporting the seat upon the said structure, a pair of adjustable uprights pivotally supported by the said structure adjacent each side of the seat and extending above the seat, arm rests, a clip pivotally connected to the extremityT of each of the uprights, the extremities of said arm rests being engaged by the respective clips whereby the arm rests will be maintained in a horizontal position With relation to the supporting structure in any of the adjusted positions of the uprights, means'movable With the uprights for locking the uprights in position and a guide for said locking means.

ll. ln a folding go-cart, the combination of a seat supporting structure, a seat supported thereby and fixed with respect thereto, a pair of adjustable uprights pivotally mounted by one end on the said structure independent of the seat and adjacent each side thereof and extending above the seat,y arm rests, a clip pivotally connected to the extremity of each of the uprights, the extremities of said arm rests being engaged by the respective clips whereby the arm rests will be maintained in a horizontal position with relation to the supporting structure in any of the adjusted positions of the up-v rights, means connected with one of the uprights and movable therewith for maintaining the uprights in position and a guide for the said means.

1Q. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting structure, a folding body structure thereon and including side inembers, a seat arranged between the said members and out of engagement therewith, means for supporting one end of the seat, means extending beyond the other end of the seat and engaging the said supporting structure to form a yielding support for said end, said 3 side members being adapted to fold with the body structure, and means adapted to engage the supporting structure to lock the body structure in operative position, said locking means being movable upon and supported by the said yielding support when the body structure is being adjusted.

13. In a folding go-cart, the combination of a supporting structure including spaced members, a folding body structure embodying a seat arranged between said members, means for supporting one edge of the seat, a cross bar between the said members remote from the seat, an elastic member bent upon itself to form a loop surrounding the cross bar, the free extremities of the inember being connected with the seat to form a yielding support therefor, said body struc-- ture also embodying folding side members for the seat, and a catch having pivotal concross bar between the said members remote from the seat, an elastic member bent upon itself to form a loop surrounding the cross bar, the free extremities of the member being connected with the seat to form a yielding support therefor, said body structure also embodying folding side members for the seat, and a 'catch having pivotal connection with the body structure and movable therewith, said catch being adapted to engage the supporting structure to lock the parts in position, the free end of the catch being adapted to move upon and be support` ed by the said elastic member when the body structure is adjusted.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, on this 13th day of February A. D. 1908. p

FRANK J. BEIER.

Witnesses:

FRANCIS A. HOPKINS, A. E. MCGILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

l Washington, D. C. 

